Yes, We Have No Bananas!

While in the military I was stationed throughout the Pacific Rim (Japan, Korea, Philippines, Guam and Hawaii). I got the opportunity to try some really unique cuisine during my travels. In an effort to reproduce some of those dishes from memory I tried, in vain, to find the ingredients at the local grocery store. The average American grocery store does not have what's needed to make Lumpia, Kimchee, Bagogi or even Calamari.

I decided to seek out items from Whole Foods Market and Central Market. They did have an array of curry powers and other spices, but did not have the noodles specific to a Ponset dish.

Another option for spices was World Market. Unfortunately they did not have the range of selections for a complete meal (protein, grains, vegetables and spices).

One day while driving around Arlington I noticed many buildings off of 303 Pioneer Parkway with Asian writing. One had the word MARKET written in big, bold letters. I decided to stop just to see what they had to offer.

Pay dirt!!! The Hong Kong Market Place (Phứoc Loc Tho) located at 1816 East Pioneer Parkway (http://www.hkmkt.com) has a vast range of hard to find spices, meats, noodles, porridge and even cooking utensils.

The meat counter at Hong Kong Market Place has to be seen to be believed. All meat is selected and cut to order. So, if you want to grill an entire bass, they have it. If you are one of those people who put chicken feet in your gumbo, they have it. Got a hankerin for some cow tongue? Yep, they have it. Chitlins, fish eyes, rump roast or whole squid; it's all there.

I purchased what had to be some of the most pristine pork ribs I have ever seen. I got half a slab, which was huge (about 3 pounds) for $5.42. I do not have a grill and had never cooked ribs in the oven. So I was a bit concerned that they would be hard and chewy. Not the case. Either I'm one hell of a rib cooker or those were the most tender ribs I have ever had.

I seasoned them with salt, pepper, garlic power and a Korean bar-b-que sauce I picked up from their incredibly impressive condiment aisle. After an over night marinade, I then baked the ribs at 350 degrees with the meaty side up for thirty minutes; then with the fat side up for thirty minutes. They spent another thirty minutes baking while wrapped in foil.

They weren't falling off the bone tender. But they were that perfect juicy, moist, sink your teeth in tenderness.

My favorite is the chicken wings. You can purchase either a whole chicken or chicken in parts. The chicken looks as if they unloaded, plucked and cleaned them that day.

Don't like chicken, try a hen. You can purchase hens by the pound.

There is a cornucopia of fish and fish parts. I am not a fish aficionado so I can only tell you about the catfish. I can identify catfish by sight. Most of the items at the meat counter are not labeled. So please know what you want or have a picture when you go there or you'll be standing there looking like I did my first day; staring at the fish eyes, waiting for one to wink.

Lobster, squid, octopus and dungeons crab. Seaweed, tofu, bean sprouts, tempura mix and wasabi. All at a reasonable prices. I paid $3.56 for 4 pounds of chicken wings.

While in Japan I gained a fondness for coffee in a can and a drink named "Pokka". They have a very good selection of beverages to include Pokka and canned coffee (cream and sugar already added).

If you need chopsticks, tea pots or other utensils, they have that too.

Now we get to the produce department. Go straight to Fiesta Mart (1300 E. Pioneer Parkway) for my produce. The prices are excellent, and the selection is tremendous.

While in the Philippines I ate my body weight in mangos. Fiesta has the freshest, most moist mangos, which are comparable to those I remember in the PI.

My six months in Panama helped me develop an addiction to Plantains. Fiesta has a selection of green and yellow Plantains. I will normally fry them in butter and douse them with powered sugar; the way my mom used to.

If you're from a country where these foods are standard on your table or you're an American GI remembering your time abroad or you just want to put those cook books you have to use; consider the Hong Kong Market Place or Fiesta Mart for your next grocery run.

Oh, one last thing. When you go to check out at the Hong Kong Market Place, place your basket to the right of the check out person and then step back on the opposite side of the counter. It's just the way they are set up.

Bon appetite!